Float structure

ABSTRACT

A float structure comprised of a cavitary body consisting of a hollow internal section, the cavitary body having disposed on it a first conjoinment structure and a second conjoinment structure. As such, when two floats of the invention herein are stacked into an assemblage, the first conjoinment structure of the rear float is inserted into the second conjoinment structure of the front float to thereby enable the connective assembly of the two floats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a float structure, specifically a float structure of a simple arrangement with a hollow cavity that is capable of being stacked and connectively assembled.

2) Description of the Related Art

Many float patents are presented under the Taiwan Patent Bulletin numbers 254801, 259076, 259077, 260135, 287513, 315829, 329080, 370072, 370958, and 358452. Said float patents generally disclose an identical type of hollow cavity float structure, but the float-to-float connective means consists of a tab disposed at the four corners of each float, with a mounting hole in each tab, such that when the tabs of two floats are stacked one above the other, their mounting holes aligned, a fastening rod is inserted through the two stacked mounting holes to thereby enable the coupling of the two floats; while such float structures are admittedly practical, the hollow cavities are excessively large, thereby providing a floatation magnitude of a greater degree even though the tabs at the corners are relatively thin and, as a result, as the float is subjected to center-of-pressure stress to the extent that the tabs are driven apart due the moment of force exerted, the connective stability of the floats is less than optimal; furthermore, such floats are more suited for horizontal connection and although they may be in an upper and lower connective arrangement, this is achieved by the insertion of a cord from top to bottom through the float tabs, however, since the cord is typically of a small diameter and the tab mounting holes are larger (since they originally provide for the insertion of fastening rods), following upper and lower routing and given the in-water forces of floatation, shifting instability is even higher; therefore, the prior art awaits substantial improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of this invention is to provide an improved float structure comprised of a cavitary body consisting of a hollow internal section, said cavitary body having disposed on it a first conjoinment structure and a second conjoinment structure; when two floats are stacked into an assemblage, the first conjoinment structure of the rear float is inserted into the second conjoinment structure of the front float to thereby enable the connective assembly of the two floats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an orthographic drawing of the first preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the top.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional drawing the first preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic drawing of the first preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the bottom.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic drawing of the first preferred embodiment washer plate structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the top.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional drawing of the first embodiment washer plate structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic drawing of the first preferred embodiment washer plate structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the bottom.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional drawing of the first preferred embodiment float structure herein when stacked by means of the fixing rod and the washer plate.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional drawing of the first preferred embodiment float structure herein when stacked by means of the fixing rod and the washer plate, with the fixing rod and cover shown in magnified view.

FIG. 9 is an orthographic drawing of the second preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the top.

FIG. 10 is an orthographic drawing of the second preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 11 is an orthographic drawing of the second preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the bottom.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional drawing of the holding section of the second preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that similar elements are indicated by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the first preferred embodiment float 1 of the invention herein is comprised of a cavitary body 11 having a generally rectangular shape and in which the hollow internal aspect is extruded from a plastic pliant material, a raised seat 12 disposed at the upper extent of the cavitary body 11, affording thereby two raised seats 12, with each raised seat 12 of an octagonal shape; a recessed seat 13 disposed at the lower extent of the cavitary body 11 such that it serves as a second conjoinment structure aligned vertically with said raised seat 12, each recessed seat 13 of an octagonal shape and each recessed seat 13 having an indentation 131; a plurality of tubular entities 14 disposed through the cavitary body 11, with a passage 141 formed in each tubular entity 14, one end at the upper aspect of each passage 141 in continuity with the raised seat 12 and the other end in continuity with the indentation 131 at the lower extent of the recessed seat 13; a shoulder section 132 formed at the bottom portion of each indention because the diameter of the passage 141 is smaller than the width of the recessed seat 13 indentation 131; and a shallow trough 15 disposed laterally from top to bottom around the cavitary body 11.

Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the washer plate 2, utilized in the first preferred embodiment depicted by the drawings, is internally hollow and formed by extrusion from a pliant plastic material; a plurality of grooves 21 are incised on the upper surface of the washer plate 2, the formation thereof providing an anti-slip surface; a sunken hole 22 is disposed in each said cavitary body 11 raised seat 12 at the upper surface of the washer plate 2; an inset hole 25 is disposed in each said cavitary body 11 raised seat 12, the shape thereof matching the octagonal shape of the raised seat 12; and a through-hole 24 is formed between the sunken hole 22 and the inset hole 25.

In the first preferred embodiment structure of the invention herein, in addition to the usage of a single float 1 containing air in its cavitary body 11, which thus enables flotation capability in water, the raised seat 12 at the upper extent of the float 1 is insertable into a corresponding recessed seat 13 to achieve stacking; the recessed seat 13 is larger than the raised seat 12 and also since the depth of the recessed seat 13 is greater than the height of the raised seat 12, the insertion of the raised seat 12 into the recessed seat 13 does not penetrate the indentation 131 in the recessed seat 13; furthermore, during the process of stacking, a fixing rod 3 and said washer plate 2 are utilized for connective assembly and attachment, said fixing rod 3 constructed of a plastic material, with a head section 31 at one extremity and threads 32 died along the opposite extremity, thereby accommodating the fastening of a nut 33 onto said threads 32; when utilizing the fixing rod 3 to attach an upper and lower float 1 in an upper and lower in-line stacked arrangement or a staggered partial arrangement, wherein the fixing rod 3 is inserted into the sunken hole 22, the through-hole 24, the inset hole 25 of the washer plate 2, and the lower extent of the passage 141 in the float 1, enabling the nesting of the fixing rod 3 head section 31 in the washer plate 2 sunken hole 22, with the threads 32 portion along the opposite extremity extending past the indentation 131, at which time the inset hole 25 at the lower extent of the washer plate 2 then fits over the float 1 raised seat 12 and said nut 33 is tightened onto said threads 3; wherein, the height of the fixing rod 3 head section 31 is lower in depth than the sunken hole 22 such that when situated in the sunken hole 22, it does not protrude from the sunken hole 22 and at the same time serves as a covering body 4.

Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12, the second preferred embodiment of the invention herein provides for another type of float 5, said float 5 internally hollow and fabricated by extrusion from a plastic pliant material, the structure of which is generally similar to the first preferred embodiment float 1 of the invention herein and thus shall not be further elaborated; however, the difference is that the cavitary body 51 is twice as large as that of the first embodiment float 1, the arrangement illustrating a feature of the invention herein that supports enlargement and reduction as required; and since after the enlargement of the float 5 the dimensions of the cavitary body 51 are greater, to facilitate portability, at the sunken holes 52 at the two opposing sides of the cavitary body 51, a holding section 53 provides for two-handed carrying.

In summation of the foregoing section, since the structural design of the preferred embodiments features tubular entities 14 in the float 1, which not only provide the float 1 upper and lower reinforcing support, but also passages 141 in the tubular entities 14 for the insertion and fastening of fixing rods 3, enabling float 1 connective assembly at the top, bottom, left, or right into a three-dimensional stack, and also since the raised seat 12 at the upper extent of the float 1 is insertable into a corresponding recessed seat 13, this enables connective assembly and stacking structural stability, thereby preventing float-to-float shifting due to water undulation; furthermore, the float 1 itself can be enlarged or reduced in size to accommodate application situations and changes as required, thereby enhancing its utility; at the same time, the washer plate 2 facilitates connective assembly, and can be provided on its surface with anti-slip capability; additionally, the sides of the raised seat 12 or the recessed seat 13 are not limited to that of an octagon, the sides can be that of any polygon or even a circle, all of which are practical arrangements; and, furthermore, utilization of the float 1 embodiments of the invention herein includes connective assembly for shipping wharfs, swimming pools, or many other applications in which configurable floats are required.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention herein is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A float structure comprised of a cavitary body consisting of a hollow internal section, said cavitary body having disposed on it a first conjoinment structure and a second conjoinment structure; when two floats of the invention herein are stacked into an assemblage, the first conjoinment structure of the rear said float is inserted into the second conjoinment structure of the front said float to thereby enable the connective assembly of said two floats.
 2. A float structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first conjoinment structure is a raised seat.
 3. A float structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second conjoinment structure is a recessed seat.
 4. A float structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cavitary body has a tubular entity disposed through it and a passage formed in said tubular entity.
 5. A float structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said recessed seat also has an indentation.
 6. A float structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first conjoinment structure is said raised seat and said second conjoinment structure is said recessed seat, and one end of said passage is in continuity with said raised seat and the other end is in continuity with said recessed seat.
 7. A float structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said float 1 is stacked, a fixing rod is utilized to fasten the connective assembly.
 8. A float structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said fixing rod has a head section at one extremity and threads died along the opposite extremity, thereby accommodating the fastening of a nut onto said threads.
 9. A float structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said float utilizes for connective assembly a washer plate with an anti-slip surface formed on it.
 10. A float structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein said washer plate has disposed in its upper surface, in alignment with said cavitary body first conjoinment structure, a sunken hole; said washer plate has disposed in its lower surface, in alignment with said cavitary body first conjoinment structure, an inset hole; and formed between said sunken hole and said inset hole is a through-hole. 